Still struggling to shed those unwanted pounds? The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than a third of U.S. adults are overweight, resulting in approximately $140 billion in related medical expenses. Whether you are looking to lose 5 pounds or 50, eating the right foods may help you accomplish these goals. There are certain foods which may hinder your weight loss progress, but there are also foods that can encourage it. For a list 5 of the top fat-burning foods, keep reading.
#1) Blueberries
Not all sweet foods are bad. Blueberries are considered an excellent fat-burning food thanks to their unique nutritional makeup. A single cup of these bright purple-colored berries contain both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat (the good kinds of fat), along with 3.5 g of dietary fiber, 114 mg of potassium, 1 g of protein, and a slew of beneficial vitamins. While a bag of greasy potato chips might contain 200+ calories and offer little-to-no nutritional value, blueberries are packed with nutrition at just 85 calories.
#2) Green Tea
We really can’t talk about fat-burning foods without mentioning green tea. This is one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medicine, and it’s still being used throughout the world to treat everything from inflammation to weight loss. Several studies have found a direct link between green tea consumption and weight loss.
So, how exactly does green tea contribute to weight loss? According to researchers, it contains a powerful stimulant known as catechins (antioxidants that combat harmful free radicals). This stimulant works to speed up the weight loss process by literally burning excess body fat.
#3) Almonds
You might be surprised to learn that almonds are a powerful fat-burning food. Although a cup of raw almonds may contain as much as 500 calories, these calories are off-set by its high concentration of healthy fats. A cup of almonds contains approximately 11 g of polyunsaturated fat, 28 g of monounsaturated fat, and 11 g of fiber, all of which encourage the body to flush unwanted fat.
#4) Eggs
Coming in at number four on our list is eggs. Whether they’re scrambled or sunny-side-up, eggs are a nutritious fat-burning food that should be included in your diet. They’re packed with protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, potassium, folic acid, choline and biotin. There’s some belief that the yolk is bad for your health since it contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol, but recent studies have since disproved this myth. So, go ahead any enjoy and egg in the morning along with a bowl of fruit and piece of whole wheat toast.
#5) Broccoli
Last but not least on our list of fat-burning foods is broccoli. This deliciously crunchy and versatile vegetable contains potassium (and lots of it), vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B-6, magnesium, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, dietary fiber, and several different antioxidants. A single serving size of broccoli is only about 50 calories, so try to include it in your diet.
Each of these foods is relatively easy to incorporate into your regular diet, and can provide a valuable as well as tasty nutrition boost.
